The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 31, 527-531, Copyright © 1981 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Repair of major intracardiac anomalies associated with atrioventricular discordance
WG Williams, R Suri, G Shindo, RM Freedom, JE Morch and GA Trusler
Thirty-five patients with atrioventricular (AV) discordance underwent
repair of major intracardiac defects. Ventricular septal defect (VSD) was
the most frequently encountered lesion, present alone or in combination
with other lesions in 86% of these patients. Pulmonary stenosis (51%) and
tricuspid insufficiency (37%) were the other lesions encountered. The
initial operative mortality of 8.6% is approaching that for these same
defects when repaired in the patient with normal atrioventricular
connections. However, the late mortality of 19% with an average follow-up
of 4.4 years is higher than expected in the absence of AV discordance.
Reoperation for residual or recurrent defects was required in 9 of the 32
survivors and was associated with a mortality of 33%. Seven of the 9
reoperations were required for tricuspid valve dysfunction. Elective repair
of major anomalies in association with AV discordance can be accomplished
safely, but these patients require careful long-term follow-up in
anticipation of late problems.